This question sits at the heart of a beautiful passage from Sifrei Devarim, a collection of legal midrashim on the Book of Deuteronomy. It revolves around the verse, "which you shall command your children to keep and to do — all the words of the Torah." It’s more than just a commandment; it’s a chain of responsibility, a recognition of interdependence across generations.

The text tells us that Moses, no less, addressed the people with these words: "I must acknowledge my indebtedness to you for fulfilling the Torah after me." Think about that for a moment. Moses, the one who received the Torah at Sinai, felt indebted to the people for keeping it alive! It's a profound statement about the collaborative nature of tradition.

And the charge continues: "You, too, must acknowledge indebtedness to your children for fulfilling the Torah after you." It's a cyclical relationship. We receive, we cherish, and we pass it on, knowing that its survival depends on those who come after us.

The passage illustrates this point with a story about Rabbeinu, likely referring to Rabbi Judah ha-Nasi, the compiler of the Mishnah. He once came from Ludkia (possibly Lod or Lydda), and R. Yossi b. R. Yehudah and R. Elazar b. Yehudah came to sit before him. Rabbeinu, recognizing their dedication, said to them, "Come closer, I must acknowledge my indebtedness to you for fulfilling the Torah after me. You, too, must acknowledge your indebtedness to your children for fulfilling the Torah after you."

What's so striking about this anecdote? It highlights the humility of even the greatest scholars. They understood that their knowledge and efforts were not enough. The Torah's continued relevance depended on the commitment of future generations.

The text concludes with a powerful statement: "Moses was (undeniably) great, but if others did not come after him, his Torah would be valueless — we, how much more so!" If the Torah, even with Moses as its conduit, required others to sustain it, then how much more do we, ordinary individuals, rely on the generations to come?

It’s a humbling thought, isn’t it? We are all links in a chain, each dependent on the others to keep the tradition alive. It’s not enough to simply learn and understand; we must also transmit, inspire, and empower the next generation to carry the torch.

So, what are we passing on? And how are we ensuring that it will be cherished and kept alive for generations to come? The answer, perhaps, lies in recognizing our own indebtedness, both to those who came before us and to those who will follow.